From July 6th through the 16th I was in Gainsville, Georgia at The World Race Training Camp. There were 5 Squads there and each are given a letter of the alphabet (V, Q, X, Y, and Z) We slept in tents (most of the time) took “showers” with a 5 gallon bucket of very cold water and a scoop (sometimes) and learned all about community living! There are not enough words to describe what that experience was like, but I will surely do my best by making a Top 10 list of things I learned and my favorite memories of camp!
10: The worship band at Adventures In Missions was amazing. I loved every time all the squads got together to worship! 200+ young people pouring their hearts out to God every day was incredible.
9: FOOD!!! Yes we had to eat with our hands (definitely glad I had my spork!!), share one large plate between 8 people, and some of it was pretty strange, but most of the food was awesome!! I definitely commend the AIM kitchen staff! You guys rock!
8: Women’s Retreat. While the men were on their “Man Hike” the ladies all stayed back on campus to have some much needed Girl Time. I so enjoyed all the talks we had, stories that were shared, and tears that were shed together. We learned how amazing we are as Women. We don’t need to find our identity in men, other women, or anyone else other than God. HE decided our worth on The Cross.
7: I learned that Grace will find you before you look for it. As the Prodigal Son walked home with his head down in shame over what he had done to beg his father’s forgiveness, his father saw him walking up the road and ran to meet him. He showered him with love and joy for his homecoming before the son could even lift his face. THAT is how God treats us when we sin.
6: I learned that guilt and shame are two different things. Shame is of the enemy. Shame is a lie. Shame is saying “I’m a terrible person… I’m so stupid… I’m not worthy of love”. Guilt says ” hey I messed up. I did something bad”. Guilt does not identify you. Guilt leads you back to God. Shame separates you from Him.
5: I learned being vulnerable is extremely difficult. We have been programmed to build up walls, keep your true self covered, not to form deep connections and relationships because you could get hurt. We have all experienced rejection in some way and it sucks. When you will be living with people for an entire year and doing everything together from ministry to bungee jumping off a bridge in Africa, being vulnerable is extremely important to build trust and those scary deep true relationships.
4: SqUaD WaRs!!!!! Even though we didn’t win… I am so proud of Y Squad!! It was so much fun to rally around them and see all the squads cheer each other on! (also X Squad (my squad) totally crushed it on the dance competition which makes us winners too!)
3: My Hammock. I love that thing to pieces. I prefer to sleep in in than in my tent. I would totally recommend to any future World Racer that they get an ENO double nest hammock with the Atlas straps. By far my favorite gear purchase.
2: My Training team. Each Squad gets 3 Squad Leaders (alumni Racers who come back out on the field to help lead a new squad for the first few months) a squad Mentor who stays at the Office and takes care of things for us state side as well as keep us all sane (also an alumni Racer) 2 squad coaches who are our parents age. AIM strongly believes in multi generational discipleship programs. They will come out to see us throughout our 11 month journey and keep up with us through email and skype. there are also about 4 other people that handle everything from logistics to budgeting. I love each and every one of them. They are all so amazing and I can’t wait to see how I can learn from them all through out this next year.
1. MI FAMILIA. X Squad. You are all amazing. I couldn’t imagine doing life with any other group of people. I so strongly believe that each and every one of us was hand picked to be together on this journey together. I cannot wait to share this experience with you and show the world God’s love together! Shout out to Team Aletheia!!!!! Kody Joe Zack Amy Marsha and Rebecca. I absolutely cannot wait to spend every day with you 6 out on the field!! We will be a force to be reckoned with.
If you want to know more about training camp, what I will be doing while I’m gone, or want to know how to pray for me and my wonderful people, let me know!! ALSO I only need $4,497 to be FULLY FUNDED for this trip!!! Want to know more on how to help? Contact me through this blog, on facebook, or email me at [email protected].
